View full sizeEverton Bailey Jr./The OregonianLake Oswego Councilor Bill Tierney announced on Tuesday he is withdrawing support for a proposed Portland streetcar line extension into the city. The announcement from the elected official, who had the swing vote when the city council pushed the proposal forward last April, likely means a delay to Lake Oswego streetcar plans indefinitely.

The Portland-Lake Oswego streetcar project appears to be dead -- or at least suspended -- after losing suburban political support.

"Until we are more united as a city, as a region, and as a city council, I believe we should in the near term, put this project on the shelf," said Tierney. "Leave it for a future council to examine if they choose to and cease direct expenditures in the foreseeable future."

Tierney cited a weak economy, a deep split in public opinion and a need for Lake Oswego officials to focus on more immediate city needs as his reasons for changing his mind. He also mentioned that he informed Mayor Jack Hoffman of his decision before announcing it at the meeting.

"We need to further refine what our community should be," said Tierney. "Right now, this council is too divided to move ahead with bold plans."

Councilor Sally Moncrieff, another firm supporter of the project, also appeared to be withdrawing her support on Tuesday saying she agreed with Tierney that now is not the right time for a streetcar in Lake Oswego.

"I still believe very firmly that the streetcar project is an excellent project and that's it's the right project for Lake Oswego but it's always been contingent on being financially feasible," she said. "It takes all of the partners being ready to go at the same time."

The streetcar proposal was the most high-profile of available options presented in the Lake Oswego to Portland Transit Project. The initiative looked to present transit alternatives to alleviate traffic congestion along Oregon 43. An enhanced bus system was another option that was on the table.

The Lake Oswego streetcar proposal encountered opposition from many city property owners who expressed concerns over issues such as the project's initially projected $458 million price tag by a planned completion date in 2017 to potential quality of life and environmental concerns. A community survey conducted late last year of 300 registered Lake Oswego voters found 52 percent of respondents opposed the project.

View full sizeThe OregonianPlans for a Portland streetcar extension into Lake Oswego took a hit on Tuesday after Lake Oswego Councilor Bill Tierney announced he no longer supported the project. The move likely puts the project on hold indefinitely.

However, supporters of the plan believed the streetcar could be the key to revitalizing the city's population and economic opportunities. The Lake Oswego City Council approved a framework plan in late November to redevelop the city's 107-acre Foothills district into a mixed-use area for housing, retail and offices with the streetcar as one of its main attractions.

Hoffman, who voted last year for the city to continue exploring the streetcar option, said the advisory vote and other issues will have to be re-evaluated in the coming days and weeks.

"I still think this is a great project, as everybody knows," said Hoffman on Tuesday. "I think the timing is problematic with the economy, TriMet's issues and other issues. But I think we need to keep in mind the transportation land use connection and that Foothills is still a project we need to keep moving forward on."

Former Lake Oswego Mayor Judie Hammerstad, a strong streetcar proponent, said she’s hard-pressed to think of a better transit alternative for the city.

“It’s my view that this is a project that doesn’t have to happen today, but it’s got to happen in the next few years,” she said. “I don’t see any other transportation projects for Lake Oswego that can bring to the table what the streetcar can – and the window to do it is closing.”

Councilor Gudman said he had no idea Tierney's announcement was coming but applauded his colleague for "having a change of heart."

"It's always difficult for someone to change their mind," said Gudman after the meeting. "But this now permits us to move forward and use our limited resources on a variety of other projects that could be much more beneficial to Lake Oswego."

"But the project is dead, there's really no need to gloat," he added.

Councilor Mary Olson, another streetcar opponent, said she would have liked to have seen an announcement like this come a year ago.

"It's a good thing this is coming to an end," she said. "I think Bill was getting tired of hearing talks of a recall."